692 PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 



But it is not always possible to get tliem, as the cultivator generally 

 prepares his nurseries according to the requirements of his own field. 



Owing to late sowing on account of the presence of the Varuna in 

 the field, the vigour of the plants and consequently the quality and 

 the outturn of the crop are said to be afl'ected. The outturn is beheved 

 to suffer to the extent of 15 to 20 baskets {i.e., Rs. 15 to 20 at least) 

 per acre. 



In the Amherst, Thaton, Hanthawaddy and Myaungmya districts, 

 the area affected by this species is along the sea coast and the riversides, 

 the approximate length of which is 96, 42, 32 and 20 miles respectively. 



2. Metaj)lax denti'pes, Heller. 



(Vernacular name Ganan-chi-she.) 



This crab is called the long legged crab {ganan-msimie crab, chi-hgs, 

 s^e-long) by the Burmans, as it has long legs. 



It is said to climb up the plants and eat them from the top down- 

 wards. According to the village headmen of the Ziekre village, Thaton 

 District, it destroys an area of 10 acres m two nights if there is no water 

 in the field. If there is water in the field, it practically causes very 

 little damage. It is said to be very destructive on accretions and virgin 

 forest lands newly brought under cultivation. 



The Burmans, Taungthas and Karens boil and fry Varuna and 

 Metaplax and eat them with ngapi (rotted salted fish). 



3. Sesarona edwardsi, de Man. 



(Vernacular names Thayaw ganan ; also Pha-in-ganan in Moulmein.) 



This crab is called Thayaw ganan because it is found on or near the 

 Exacaria, which is known as Thayaw bin (bin-tvee), in the vicinity of 

 which it makes its burrows. Accordmg to the report from the Amherst 

 District, it is said to pinch or squeeze the tender stalks of young paddy 

 plants with its claws and to eat them up. In the Hanthawaddy District, 

 it is said to live all the year round along the edges of the tidal creeks 

 and yos (blind watercourses). It, sometimes, proves very destructive 

 by burrowing into the bunds and letting in salt water into the fields. 



Some cultivators do not regard this crab as injurious to paddy 

 plants. 



The Burmans do not eat this species of crab as it is beUeved to cause 

 diarrhoea. 



